A more thorough explanation:

Definition: A woodward is a historical forest officer who is responsible for patrolling and protecting the forest.

Example: In medieval England, woodwards were appointed by the king to oversee the forests and ensure that no one was hunting or cutting down trees without permission.

Explanation: The example illustrates how woodwards were responsible for protecting the forest from illegal activities such as hunting and deforestation. They were appointed by the king to ensure that the forest was well-maintained and preserved for future generations.